president obama and the entire family left this evening to spend christmas holiday in hawaii. not clear when they will return. the president only saying that since a deal has not been reached to avert sought called fiscal cliff, he would be coming back to washington after christmas. >> so where did that leave things terms of the fiscal cliff? here's l jonathan karl. >> congress not a creature is stirring. no deal is in sight. with deadline looming and seemingly no hope anywhere, the president made one last appeal tonight before washington goes on vacation. >> as we leave town for a few days to be with our families, through the holidays, everybody can cool off. everybody can tl drink some egg nog. now is not the time for more self inflicted wounds. certainly not those coming from washington. >>reporter: but the 2 sides don't even seem to be trying any more. what are we going to do now. >> i'm interested in solving the major problems that face our country. and that means house leaders senate leaders and the president are going to continue to have to work together to address thos